“If you observe a really happy man you will find him building a boat, writing a symphony, educating his son, or looking for dinosaur eggs in the Gobi Desert.” - Australian psychiatrist W. Béran Wolfe

Greetings & Thanks for Visiting!

I'm a web viking and digital marketing ninja (SEO, SEM, email, social media, landing page optimization, lead generation, etc. ) responsible for Cool Site of the Day, the Internet's oldest directory (launched in 1994). I'm also Google Adwords Qualified and am one of only .5% with direct access to Google corporate.
One of my goals with Cool Site of the Day is to shine a light on all the cool websites since the beginning of cyber time.

Cool Site of the Day has featured a unique site every day since August of 1994...nearly 9,000 sites!

As for my approach to Internet marketing and SEM, the following quote says it all:

“That which is measured improves. That which is measured and reported improves exponentially.” (Pearson's Law found on Mark Joyner'sSimpleology)

More background

In 1993, I was the first person to promote music on the Internet for the major record labels (via bulletin boards and primitive websites!). After 5 years working for the music industry, I bought Cool Site of the Day (1998).

I have been quoted in several online and offline publications including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal and am usually available for interviews and speaking engagements.

Sometimes I find time to offer consulting services...

If you do decide to contact me for a consultation, know that we will FOCUS on keyword research and competitor analysis INTENSELY (believe me, it will save you hours/days/months/years of heartbreak). THEN, you will know if your idea has a shot; if not, I will likely redirect you towards a more lucrative path.

"Mike Corso is incredible. Our heads hurt from the number of good ideas to track down after consulting with him for 30 minutes. Thanks, Mike!" -Jake, piclits.com
“Thanks for your insight and site evaluation. We have moved from PR3 to PR5 on one of our main landing pages thanks to you. We are on our way up thanks to your professional evaluation and valuable input. We have not implemented all of your suggestions as we have a small staff here. Thanks Again!" - Bruce Richards
“Mike Corso will show you the proper way of doing things. There is no hidden agenda, just pure information and action. You must be sleeping at the wheel if you do not get on board with Mike and his 'Crazy Train'!!” -David A.
"Keep up the good work. You really have a winner of a site, and what a way to help new sites generate the traffic they need when they first launch." -- John H.

8 Tips for Finally Making Money with Your Fashion Blog

A blog is a lot of fun at the beginning, but if you’re not making money, it’s hard to sustain. Most blogs have the potential for monetization as long as you have the right strategies working for you. If you’re tired of making pennies from your fashion blog, here are some things you might consider:

1. Sign Up for Ad Networks

One of the most popular ways to monetize a blog is through advertisements on your website. When your site visitors click or interact with an ad in a certain way, you make money.

You could sell ad space independently, but it’s easier to sign up with established advertising networks. Some of the best include:

Google AdSense

Chitka

Lijit

BlogAds

PropellerAds

Infolinks

Media.net

Do your research on each of these networks to find the best deal. Some ad networks will perform better than others. Some will also cost more with fewer benefits, so look for one that offers equally advantageous gains.

2. Let Others Handle the Revenue

If you love taking photographs, experiencing the latest trends, and sharing with others more than you like worrying about the money, you can hand that portion over to someone else. Companies like the Income Store, buy existing sites and turn them into revenue-generating machines. You could also have them build you a revenue-generating website from scratch that you maintain total control over.

3. Sell Products or Services

You probably have a variety of product ideas or services to offer the general public. You might start your own clothing line or boutique. You could also sell your fashion consultant services. You’ve probably become pretty good at photography since the start of your blog, and could sell that as well.

Selling products and services through your blog will require a lot more work than passive income, but if that’s a challenge that excites you, you’ll enjoy high profits from your efforts.

4. Join Affiliate Programs

Affiliate programs allow you to earn commission from certain products that you recommend. They might be from other bloggers in your sphere or from major companies. All you have to do is mention the product with a link to the site, and you’ll earn commission every time someone makes a purchase using your link.

Like ad networks, affiliate linking strategies can be done on your own, but they’re more likely to yield success through affiliate programs. Here’s a list that’s tailored towards a fashion blogger’s repertoire.

LinkShare

Rewards Style

ShareASale

ShopSense

Commission Junction

Ebay Enterprise

Kontera

Clickbank

Again, make sure that you’re getting the most advantageous deal. Some of these sites may offer better rewards than others, so do a little research first.

There are many strategies for becoming well known on Instagram, including negotiating exclusives with advertisers, working with agents, and using influencers. But the most important strategy involves regularly posting to your Instagram account and increasing your following. From there, you’ll develop media attention that will naturally lead to increased readership and revenue.

6. Write Reviews

Just like companies will pay for affiliate links, they’ll also pay for positive product reviews. Network with other bloggers, fashion designers, and other industry product developers to try products and review them on your blog.

The goal here is to be genuine in what you write. Don’t endorse products you don’t approve of. Readers will be able to tell that you’re not passionate about the product, and your blog will lose credibility.

7. Hold Seminars and Classes

As an expert in the fashion niche, you’re qualified to teach classes and hold seminars for a small fee. Other bloggers in your niche, devoted followers, and those truly invested in the fashion realm will be your target audience here. You can leave an excellent impression on your constituents, as well as put a little more cash in your pocket.

8. Befriend Fashion Agencies and Brands

If you’ve developed a strong following, the next step is reaching out to fashion agencies and clothing brands. This is one of the most exciting parts of monetizing your blog, since it will give you a chance to connect with some of your favorite brands.

Ask to be added to brands’ media lists and reach out to smaller, up-and-coming clothing brands that will appreciate a little extra PR. Brands will pay good money to use your blog for word-of-mouth marketing.

Despite what you’ve been told, you can create a highly monetizing blog out of a hobby. If fashion is your life, it’s time to quit your day job and make this your money making method.